ALS Support Community

Yes. From the very outset, I started having swallowing issues. It’s like it all hit at once 13 mos ago. I’ve had a barium swallow study, which showed “early presbyesophogus”. That really concerns me, as I feel I’m too young to have old mans throat which is really what it means. I’ve also had an endoscopy which showed gastritis, but no reason I’d be having swallowing issues.

Since my heavy metals showed high for lead, mercury and gadolinium, I’ll probably begin chelation therapy and then repeat the test in a month or two to recheck my levels.

I communicate with my neurologist at the als clinic through the patient portal as needed and my integrative doc through email. I feel like I’m at some sort of doctors appt weekly tho. I’m getting tired of all the appts. Next week I see my primary, my integrative doc and my endocrinologist. It’s a lot.

What are your swallowing issues like?

My swallowing issues starters Aug 18 2018. Initially food was not going down in its usual fashion. It then felt like something around my throat. I had modified barium swallow and everything was normal

Started seeing an ENT/Otorhinolaryngologist who concluded swallowing was normal. She also has a background in neurology. She concluded my swallowing was related to muscle tension. Had me work with a SP and said my swallowing was even better at her f/u. Said she has works with NMD patients and was confident that was not my issue.

I have had these bouts where I have mucous issues on my soft pallet and throughly is tight. She has followed up with and again said swallowing is normal. Had a bout last night where the food and pills I couldn’t feel. I woke up this morning and food was going down. Still feels funky. She said swallowing never gets better in NND. She said wasn’t my case...

Now lately my left knee ankle and quad has been painful. I feel like I’m loosing my mind...

Typing fast excuse typos..

From what I understand with als, in early stages, it isn’t solid foods, but liquids that are the problem. I haven’t had any solid food issues with swallowing, but feel my swallowing isn’t as powerful as it once was and doesn’t push the stuff down my esophagus like it should. Kinda like liquids bubble back up. My endoscopy ruled out acid reflux, so I can’t help but think it’s a muscle issue

Maybe I too need to see an ENT. I’m seeing so many different docs right now, I’m starting to feel a little crazy.

My right leg, ankle are feeling much more loose and less tight than my left side. I’m thinking that’s a bad sign. See my integrative doc on Monday again. We’ll see what he says. See my PCP Wednesday, but he’s practically worthless at this juncture. Supposed to do a new sleep study in a couple weeks. Will be interest8ng to see what the results are there.

Did you contact with the ALS doctor give you any info regarding your emg and Its accuracy of your past and future test. Was something missed?

You also mentioned you can’t walk on right heel? Is it painful or something? M

Correction..did your ALS Doctor (typo)

No. ALS clinic doc didn’t give me any info really helpful about EMG. When I asked if it can miss early als, she merely said that “some ppl are more in tune with their bodies than others”, in my opinion she was saying yes to my question without saying yes.

I can’t /stand walk on my right heel because my right Tibialis Anterior muscle is significantly atrophied. It will no longer support the weight of trying to stand on RT heel.

Hi my friend, just read all your history and its very similar as mine.. Im going trough this about 2 years and still no DX, sympthoms getting worst each day..got already 2 clean emg (idk how cuz the fasciculations is all over) what make me full scared is hand and arm atrophy noted by neuro and balance/reflex issues.. Hope you all the best.. you are not alone..

@gsventkauskas thx man. Has the doctor given any indication about the atrophy and what he thinks is causing it?

He said it could be a root nerve compression.. but I performed MRI that come back clear... very frustrating.. next week Im going to take my third EMG..